NATIONAL NEWS

FDA asks Senate for authority Sandra Kweder, the FDA’s deputy director for new drugs has asked a Senate panel for the authority to dictate what changes must be made to drug labels. Kweder said that that authority would help to get important warnings out to consumers without the oft-times slow process of negotiating with drug companies about how to word a warning. The Supreme Court rules juvenile death sentencing unconstitutional The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that it is unconstitutionally cruel for juvenile killers, under the age of 18, to suffer the death penalty. In a 5-4 ruling, it was decided the executions violate the Eighth Amendment ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that society sees juveniles “as categorically less culpable than the average criminal.” The death penalty for defendants 15 years of age or younger was previously banned. Justices Clarence Thomas, Sandra Day O’Connor, Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist voted for the executions. The execution of mentally retarded people was banned in 2002. Washington businessman indicted on $200 million tax evasion In what federal officials are calling “an elaborate evasion scheme,” telecommunications entrepreneur Walter Anderson, 51, was arrested Saturday and scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate Monday. Anderson was indicted on 12 counts for elaborate tax evasion, obstructing the IRS and defrauding the government by failing to pay taxes to the federal government and the District of Columbia. It is alleged that he transferred his ownership in three telecommunication companies to another one of his businesses in the British Virgin Islands. The accused earned nearly a half-billion dollars through off-shore ventures in beginning long-distance telecommunications companies. The penalty for his alleged crimes would be up to 80 years in prison. Granny is a drug dealer State Police arrested 78-year-old Mollie Williams for selling marijuana in Danville, West Virginia. Authorities said that they found over a pound of pot in the woman’s freezer when they were called to the home for a domestic dispute. Williams’ granddaughter and her husband were arguing about Granny’s pot. Police are looking for granny’s 72-year-old boyfriend. State Police Corporal Larry O’Bryan said “The couple seem to be the typical grandma and grandpa, except they sold pot.” Good out of evil A Sri Lankan baby, known as “Baby 81” was reunited with his family after DNA testing proved whose baby he was. Eight other couples had claimed to be the child’s parents. The baby was torn from his mother’s arm by the force of the tsunami and found caked in mud, but safe. The ABC Network paid for the baby and his parents to fly to New York and appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”